“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.”

It is time to clean out the cobwebs of the year and prepare for the cold winter nights. It is right around the corner. Stacking up the wood piles for the fire pits, the fireplaces, and the wood stoves.. keeping us warm during those frightful cold nights.

It’s that time of the year when we gather around and remind ourselves of all we have to be thankful for. It is a time to reach out to others and hold out a cup of warm coffee for someone who may not even have a roof to cover their heads. Load up on the kindness that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of our own lives. Step outside yourselves and reach a helping hand…. it really doesn’t take much.

I have much to be thankful for, much that I am extremely grateful for. For those that know me, or follow me you have heard me speak of my playing “rain buckets “ each time it rains, or snows, for my poor roof has been attacked by the killer raccoons and squirrels trying to make a home for themselves in my roof.

It caused me great heartache, but I always tell myself it could be worse. I could have NO roof. I am not used to the kindness of strangers and it is very hard for me to ask for help.

I just always figure I will do without…. somebody else most likely needs the help more than I do and so I just keep plugging along. Bailing water when it rained, just became apart of my life.

Not so cute when it is your home they are destroying.

Something in the wind changed for me, I found my voice and reached out and asked for help and a miracle happened.

People helped me.

A lovely man came over to look at my roof and the next thing I knew he was bringing ladders and stuff to fix my roof, it has been a long road to find help, I just didn’t give up all hope.. I kept asking, kept making phone calls and I could barely believe my eyes, people came to my home and sat down with me to help me figure out a plan… and no sooner than my roof was getting patched up my frig bit the dust!

Oh when it rains it pours for real!

A gentle man asked me how I am able to smile and be happy when it seems the world is crashing around me like some horrible storm. Here is what I say, dance.. just dance.. hold your head up and to take a chance, even when the skies are so dark it feels like the sun may never come out and shine. Here is the thing… it does come out, It will shine again.

There will always be problems, the question is how do you cope? Do you ask for help when you need it? Are you too proud to admit you need a helping hand? I am often to stubborn to ask. I am used to doing it alone. I have learned that there are some truly amazing people out here in the world and will help you when you least expect it.

Sometimes I think we stand in our own way! I am trying hard these days to stand back and get out of my way so I can move forward . I want the warmth of the sun on my face, I don’t want to stand in the cold alone. I say thank you to the kindness of strangers who entered my life when I thought there was not a chance in Hell that it would get better.

But…..

It did get better .

My roof is fixed because of the kindness of strangers…

One way or another I will pay it forward.

I have a frig that works and keeps our food cold and gives us water.

Again, due to the kindness of strangers, who are no longer strangers but have become friends.

I started my business and I love it.

My house is still standing.

I am able to crawl into bed after the day is through with a man I adore.

It is not a perfect world, and there are plenty of days and nights when darkness clouds my world but that’s when I call a friend…..

… and it too passes.

I am very grateful to so many people.

When you think the your world is old and gray take a moment and step back , get out of your way and take a look around, it could be worse. Then reach out for a little help, people are there and will help even when you think you are not worthy.

Don’t lose hope or faith.

…..

and remember to dance, and find things to smile about.

For tonight I will leave with this, thank you to all those who have stuck out the stormy weather with me, and for not losing faith in me when I could not see the light.